A lost pet parrot from Lake Zurich was successfully reunited with its owner yesterday, Thursday, June 9th! Thanks to a quick-thinking senior citizen, people- and animal-loving assisted living workers and the Facebook social network.

Saturday night Kasha, a Lake Zurich parrot, took a joy flight. On Sunday, Kasha stopped to rest on the balcony of Ralph Ostrom, a senior resident at Prairieview at The Garlands Assisted Living Community in Barrington. Surprised to see such a beautiful bird, Ralph opened his door and in flew Kasha. Adept at helping humans, the staff at Prairieview extended their caring and kind attitude toward the parrot. They gave Kasha fruit and water, shelter (in the form of a birdcage brought from one staff member’s home!) and the attention that these birds so often crave.

They reached out to the local police, veterinarians, animal control and pet stores in an effort to find the parrot’s owner with no success. On Wednesday evening, the Executive Director of Prairieview saw a Facebook posting about a lost parrot with a description that exactly matched the rescued bird at Prairieview!

Thursday morning the Prairieview staff called the number on the flyer. The boyfriend of the bird’s owner answered and exclaimed “that’s Kasha!” when he heard the parrot caw in the background. But he didn’t share the good news with his girlfriend, who had been crying for days over the loss of her beloved bird. Instead, he brought her to Prairieview under a ruse. When the staff brought Kasha to the woman, her jaw dropped and she cried with joy!

“A lot of the staff here own pets, so it was really important for us to reunite the pet parrot with its owner,” said Lisa Geisler, Activity Director, Prairieview at The Garlands.

Labels: active retirement communities, active senior living, Chicago assisted living, chicago retirement community, garlands blogger, parrot, upscale senior living

Bob Towne riding Thomas the horse.

Pat Menges rides horses for the exercise. Frances Bottom rides horses for the thrill. Bob Towne rides horses because it’s in his blood.

Each of these octogenarians hopped back in the saddle after many years away from horses or for the first time for different reasons. All experienced the horse’s healing power in unique ways and realized personal, life-enriching benefits.

The opportunity to ride and bond with horses came through The Garlands of Barrington and Walk On Farm’s therapeutic horsemanship program. Lisa Geisler, the Activity Director at Prairieview at The Garlands knew of the physical and emotional benefits that interacting with horses can bring and wanted to provide this unique opportunity to her residents.

Offered through The Garlands EngAGE program, equine therapy is yet another unique way for Garlands and Prairieview members to experience fulfilled lives. It’s an activity that provides physical, emotional and spiritual stimulation. Horse therapy inspires self-confidence, improves balance, poise, flexibility, strength and coordination. Participants engage with the horses while riding, driving a horse-drawn carriage, grooming and feeding them.

Taking the Reigns

Pat Menges with her horse, Roper.

Pat never imagined that she’d be riding a horse for the first time at age 82, but that’s exactly what she did after her Garlands physical therapist referred her to the program. Pat gets around using a scooter and riding a horse gives her a chance to engage her core muscles for better balance, posture and flexibility. She is raised by a hydraulic lift and lowered into the saddle on the horse’s back. Accompanied by guides, she takes the reigns and rides around the indoor arena. “I really enjoy it and feel completely safe,” says Pat, who has ridden several times.

“I saw Pat’s posture improve after just one ride,” recalls Geisler.

Frances grew up on a farm in Indiana surrounded by horses, but they were all working and not riding horses. As a child, Frances wanted to ride a horse so badly that she hopped a fence and jumped on the back of a cow. Finally, as a teenager and a young woman she got the chance to ride real horses.

Fifty years later, at age 80 Frances is riding again. “It felt wonderful! I was scared but enjoyed it thoroughly. It was a great experience and very exciting,” says Frances, who also uses the hydraulic lift to mount the horse.

Bob says that his love for horses runs in the family genes. Bob grew up in Chicago and enjoyed riding horses as a teenager. He proudly recalls the story of his grandfather riding a horse cross country from Ohio to New York. Today, Bob’s son, who lives in nearby Barrington Hills, owns horses that sleep in a barn that Bob helped his son build.

To see Bob just a year shy of 90 on horseback or holding the reigns of the carriage, it’s clear that Bob’s best friend is a horse, not a dog. “I like horses,” says Bob with a smile and twinkle in his eye. “The horses at Walk On are very good and respond well to the reigns.”

Thanks to Walk On, these three and others from The Garlands get to do something that they thought they could no longer enjoy. Walk On provides equine assisted activities to people with physical, social and emotional disabilities. The barn is specially equipped with a hydraulic lift, horses well-suited for therapy and trained assistants to help the riders. One of the main goals of Walk On, like The Garlands, is to inspire people to advance to their highest potential.

Knowing how important it is for riders to bond with their horses, Walk On encourages “face time” after each ride. Chairs are set up so the riders can look directly into their horses’ big brown eyes while they feed them carrots and other treats, groom them and enjoy a horsy nuzzle. The riders can say “thank you” for a good, safe ride.

Labels: active retirement community, active senior living, Chicago assisted living, garlands blogger, horse therapy, senior living facility

In an age of instant communications, it sure is nice to get a real letter that speaks from the heart. We're fortunate to get many like this one...

Dear Susan,

Coming from the hotel industry, I know what it takes to attract people and offer the best service possible. Your organization has exceeded the highest standards possible.

Your housekeeping staff does an outstanding job with the hotel suites. I have never seen a room as clean as yours. Anywhere.

Special thanks to the food and beverage department for the superb food and service--it was nothing short of the finest hotels in the world. The Food and Beverage manager was charming and gracious, and he certainly knows his job.

And special thanks to Roger and Carlo from Member Services for their wonderful ride to and from our home in the city.

I can't say enough about the entire staff. Everyone in every department is exceptional, and we certainly look forward to living in such an environment.

As for you, Susan, what can I say? You made an emotionally difficult task so much easier. Your hard work and patience was so much appreciated.

Thank you and everyone at The Garlands for all you did to make us very excited about moving to The Garlands.

Sincerely,

Margie and Scott Abrams

Labels: active retirement communities, active retirement community, active senior living, Chicago assisted living, Chicago estate planning, garlands blogger

Prairieview at The Garlands skilled nursing program is one of three in the state and 41 in the country to receive a five-star rating and, subsequently, recognition from US News and World Report as one of "America's Best Nursing Homes" in 2009.

To help consumers find the best choice from among the nation's more than 15,000 nursing homes, US News and World Report ranks nursing homes on a quarterly basis and places the best on its Honor Roll. Prairieview at The Garlands skilled nursing program merited Honor Roll status for 2nd quarter 2009, which means Prairieview achieved a perfect five-star rating from the federal government's Center for Medicare Services (CMS) in each of its three yardsticks: health inspections, nurse staffing and quality measures of individual care.

"To be ranked in the top 41 of 15,000 skilled nursing programs in the nation is a remarkable accomplishment and a true testimony to the quality and value The Garlands offers our residents in the event they should ever need short-term rehabilitative or long-term care," said Thomas S. Herb, President and Chief Executive Officer of Barrington Venture Holding Company LLC, local owners and operators of The Garlands.

Prairieview at The Garlands offers around-the-clock assisted living and skilled nursing services within the context of the Garlands of Barrington, a premier Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC) located at 1000 Garlands Lane, Barrington, IL. Due to state licensing agreements, access to the highly rated skilled nursing program at Prairieview is limited to members who currently live within The Garlands CCRC as independent living or assisted living members. As such, the peace of mind that comes with having access to such top-notch care should it ever be need is an added benefit that is offered exclusively to Garlands members and one to consider when looking into The Garlands lifestyle for yourself or a loved one.

US News and World Report's "America's Best Nursing Home Honor Roll" and the CMS Five-Star quality rating system help consumers, their families and caregivers easily compare nursing homes. The ranking system is important because skilled nursing programs vary in the quality of care and services they provide to their residents. Reviewing health inspection results, staffing data, and quality measure data are three important ways to measure nursing home quality. This information gives consumers a "snap shot" of the care individual nursing homes give.

For more information about US News's Honor Roll visit usnews.com or for information about the CMS ratings visit medicare.gov and select "nursing home compare." For information about The Garlands, please call 847-304-1996 and continue browsing this site.

Labels: Alzheimer's Care, chicago senior living, garlands blogger, Midwest retirement home, US News

By Jon Meacham

With her dramatization of Jon Meacham's widely acclaimed biography of Andrew Jackson, Barbara Rinella presents another astounding portrait of a great American, though our seventh President was a man of contradictions who certainly had his critics!

From very humble log cabin beginnings, a boy whose father died weeks before he was born and who would become an orphan by 14, Andrew Jackson rose to become the first common man to be elected President of the United States. He is said to have defined the modern presidency. What were the hardships that created this tough and fierce backwoodsman who truly earned the nickname, "Old Hickory?" Recognizing that life is never easy, Jackson stated simply, "I was born for a storm." How was his vision for the country formed by battles, disappointments, hardships, losses and victories?

What needs would engulf a person who hungered for family? Will his beautiful wife, Rachel, appear to enlighten us about their exciting love, their improper marriage, her feelings about a husband that is elevated to idolatry as the hero of the Battle of New Orleans and her heartbreaking--literally--treatment by the media? Perhaps it will be the very lovely, strong-willed Emily Donelson, Rachel's niece and wife of Jackson's nephew and ward, who will appear to tell of her aunt's romance and death, which would result in Emily's role as Jackson's White House hostess. Who will come forward to explain the scandal surrounding Margaret Eaton, wife of Jackson's Secretary of War, that brought the destruction of a Presidential Cabinet and ignited the gossip mills of Washington, D.C.?

There are many others who could comment on Jackson's actions and reactions. Native Americans certainly have an opinion on the President who fought for Indian removal, believing it to be necessary and practical. Friends who enjoyed the rewards of Jackson's "spoils system" would probably rave about the perks of patronage and political loyalty. Citizens of South Carolina, so upset by President Jackson's strong federal policies that they worried about losing states' rights, might voice thoughts of nullification and even secession. Will looking at Jackson's image on the $20 bring thoughts of his concerns about the Bank of the United States?

Turbulent times demanded strong leadership and daring decisions. Andrew Jackson, the man of the people, saw America as his family--a union, one and inseparable! He brought a lion's strength and roar! "He dominated the times, and the evidence of his strength and the aura of his authority led some to think of him as the 'Old Lion.' " Please, come meet the American Lion and his friends and family!

Barbara Rinella Luncheon and Dramatic Book Review
Friday, September 25, Doors open at Noon, Lunch at 12:30pm, Performance at 1:30pm, $28 Member Fee, $35 for Public

Labels: chicago retirement community, garlands blogger, retirement community, upscale retirement community

Houses are selling, at a faster rate than any time in the previous 8 years, according to a new report from the Commerce Department, which tracks an 11% rise in home sales through June 2009. Spurred on by bargain prices, great selections, and unprecedented tax incentives, economists are saying that the real estate market may be turning around.

Have you been waiting for a better market to sell your home in anticipation of moving to The Garlands? Well now may be the time. Be sure to take a close look at your local market, but in the meantime, check out this Daily Herald/ Associated Press article about June's housing rally.

Labels: chicago retirement community, garlands blogger, senior living, senior retirement communities

Many of our members sell their homes before moving to The Garlands, so we know that prospective members may be thinking about putting their own house on the market right now. Here's a tip we recently came across: list your home with a very exact price--like $472, 775, instead of $475,000. Sound bizarre? Well, a recent Cornell University study found that homes actually sell for more when the list price is exact.

The researchers found that in a sample of 30,000 recently sold homes in New York and Florida, having a terminal zero in the list price lowered the ultimate sales price by .72%. Psychologically, people tend to see numbers that end with zeros as larger than those that don't, hence the marketing gimmick of everything ending in .99 or .95. And a number like $472, 775 will show up in more Internet searches since people often look in ranges that a round number could be left out of.

So if you want it to sell high, make it exact!

Source: The Price is Right by Jan Cullinane

Labels: active senior living, Chicago assisted living, chicago senior living, garlands blogger, senior living facility, upscale retirement home

Say what you will about the virtues of modern technology, but sometimes a little glimpse at the future is a welcome harbinger of great things to come! So is the case with the new "virtual video" of The Garlands second phase of development. Through the magic of modern technology, what is currently architectural drawings, concrete and steel comes to life in DVD form as a replica of what the Garlands completed campus and new Phase II residences will look like on opening day in 2010. Take a glimpse into the future of our active retirement community and order your complimentary DVD today to pass along to a friend! Call 847-304-1996.

Labels: active retirement community, active senior living, chicago retirement community, garlands blogger, upscale senior living

The Gallery at The Garlands Hosts Grace Community Homeschool Co-op

Thirteen teenage, home-schooled artists from the Grace Community Homeschool Co-op will show their collective work at The Gallery at The Garlands. The show opens on Thursday, June 18, with an artist reception from 5 to 6:30 p.m. and runs through June 24. It is open to the public any day from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. For more information, please call The Garlands concierge at 847-765-3000.

The young artists made oil and acrylic paintings based on photographs they took of someone else's shoes. Red pumps, combat boots and a baby's first walking shoes are a few of the footwear choices that made it to canvas.

"The students' work is quite exceptional," said Kathleen McCann of Barrington, an accomplished artist who has taught and inspired these students once a week over the past year. The collection of 46 pieces also includes still life, abstract and scenery paintings.

The 13 students are homeschooled in area suburbs such as Crystal Lake, Algonquin, Fox River Grove and South Barrington but meet once a week as part of the co-op. The show at The Gallery at The Garlands is a real a boost for their self-esteem.

"The children get to see the artwork they produced framed and displayed in a fine, high-quality setting," McCann said, adding that they are excited to see how The Garlands residents, and the Barrington-area community will respond to their work.

"I am of the belief that art helps people find themselves, and these kids have grown from their art experience" McCann said.

Labels: active retirement communities, active retirement community, active senior living, garlands blogger

Well, they've done it again. The Garlands Walking Club, which has already walked to Wisconsin and then Paris, has since accumulated enough exercise miles to virtually walk all the way to Las Vegas.

Take a look at how these walkers and our active retirement community unwinds after a job well done! Obviously a casino party to celebrate their success was in order!

Everyone had a great time--and, remember, what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas!

Ray Mietz throws the dice during a game of craps with Bill Youngberg as "the dealer."

Wellness Nurse, Paula Irving deals cards for a game of Blackjack.

Fitness Trainer, Sandra Sieber spins the Roulette wheel at the Casino party in the Cafe.

Labels: active senior living, garlands blogger, retirement community, senior retirement communities, upscale retirement home

Easter is a special time for many families the world over, and it's no different for our family here at the Garlands, where celebrations are a big part of active senior living community.

Easter brunch with all the trimmings, including visits with the bunny and an egg hunt in the courtyard, is a time-honored Garlands tradition.


Carl Peterson and Cookie Cooke pose with the Easter bunny before enjoying the Easter brunch.


Marlene Rolecek and grandchildren get ready to hunt for eggs with the Easter bunny.

Labels: active retirement community, chicago senior living, easter, garlands blogger, senior retirement communities, the garlands, upscale senior living